Washboiler.



R. J. FITZGERALD.

WASHBOILER.

APPLIDATION FILED SEPT. 25. 1909.

968,041 v Patented Aug. 23, 1910.

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R. J. FITZGERALD.

WASHBOILER.

APPLIOATIONFILBD SEPT. 25, 1909.

968,041 Patented Aug. 23, 1910.

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R. J. FITZGERALD.

WASHBOILER.

APPLICATION rum) SEPT. 25, 1909.

Patented Aug. 23, 1910.

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WASHBOILBR. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 26, 1909 Patented Aug. 23, 1910.

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ROBERT J'. FITZGERALD, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

WASI-IBOILER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 25, 1909.

Patented Aug. 23, 1910. Serial No. 519,513.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT J. FITZGERALD, citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in VVashboilers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in wash boilers of that class in which provision is made for the cleansing of the clothes by means of conveyance of boiling water from the box in the lower portion of the boiler to the top thereof, where it is allowed to drop upon the clothes.

The present invention has for its object, among others, to provide an improved wash boiler of this general character, which shall be simple in its construction, yet efficient in operation. I provide a boiler with independent boxes of difierent shapes arranged to occupy nearly the entire area of the bottom portion thereof, leaving a substantially central space for the reception of the soap or washing powder employed. The interior of each box is connected with the upper portion of the boiler by means of tubes disposed exteriorly of the boiler and made water tight at their points of connection.

I aim further at improvements in the details of construction whereby the cost of manufacture is reduced to a minimum and the parts may be readily assembled and taken apart when desired for cleaning or other purposes.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

The invention in its preferred form is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which with the numerals of reference marked thereon, form a part of this specification, and in which,

Figure 1 is a top plan with the cover removed, Fig. 2 is a bottom plan of one of the receptacles, Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof, Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the boiler with a portion broken away and parts in section, showing a modified form of a box, Fig. 5 is a perspective view with a portion broken away of another one of the receptacles, Fig. 6 is an elevation of one of the pipes removed, Fig. 7 is a View at right angles to Fig. 6, Fig. 8 is a top plan of one of the pipes, Fig.

9 is a bottom plan thereof, Fig. 10 is a side elevation of a boiler with portions broken away and parts in section. Fig. 11 is a perspective view with portions broken away of another form of box.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a boiler member of any suitable size and capacity and material, preferably however, substantially cylindrical, as seen in Fig. 1. It has a removable cover 2 of suitable material provided with a handle 3 whereby it may be removed from the boiler or replaced when necessary.

Within the lower portion of the boiler I place a plurality of boxes for water. These may be of any desired number and form. Fig. 4.- shows the box as being one complete entire member which is a modified form of my invention. In Fig. 1, I have shown a plurality of boxes of difierent shapes. 5 represents one of the boxes which is in width somewhat less than one-half of the diameter of the boiler. It is preferably provided with a central radial strengthening rib 6 as seen in Fig.2. At diametrically opposite sides of the boiler I' provide two boxes 7 and 8 each of which is of substantially one-half the size of the receptacle 5.

9 are rectangular boxes fitting the spaces between the receptacles 5, 7 and 8 as seen in Fig. 1, and the combined length of the two boxes 9 is somewhat less than the diameter of the boiler so as to leave a space 10 therebetween, into which is placed the soap, soap powder, etc., employed for cleansing the clothes.

Each of the boxes is provided with a short nipple or pipe 11 communicating with the interior of the said box as will be best seen on referring to Figs. 2 and 3, and communicating with each of these nipples or short pipes is a vertical pipe 12, said pipes extending externally of the boiler and communicating with the interior thereof near the top through openings 12 in the upper portion of the boiler, said pipes having their upper ends tapered as shown. They are provided at their upper and lower ends with flanges 13 and 14: having openings 15 for the passage of rivets or other suitable securing means 16, which are secured firmly to the boiler. Each end of the pipe is provided with an end nipple or extension 17, which extends within an opening in the walls of the boiler to insure a water and steam tight joint.

The boiler is provided with suitable handles 18 by which it may be lifted about.

In practice the receptacles are placed within the bottom of the boiler their bottom edges being supported a short distance above the bottom of the boiler so as to leave a space as seen at 19 in Fig. 10 whereby the water descending upon the clothes may find its way back under the boxes.' The space beneath the tubes of the boxes is filled with water as seen at 20 in Fig. 10. The

soap is put into the space 10 and the clothes are then put into the boiler. As soon as the water becomes hot and steam is created,

A ebullition causesthe water and the steam to pass out from the top of the boxes through the pipes 12 into the boiler at the top where 1t falls upon the clothes and upon the soap or other material, and as this is keptup con- 'tinually as long as the water is boiling the clothes become thoroughly cleansed.

Fig. 4 shows a box having connection with the vertical pipes through an opening located above the water line, which should come to about the center of the height of the box, so that steam can flow through the opening. Fig. 10 shows a box having an opening below the water line so that hot water can be elevated through the vertical pipes.

It has been found that where a single compartment or box is provided the steam is uncertain in its action and the water is not forced evenly through all of the pipes. Indeed in some instances it is likely not to be forced through them at all. By my present construction whereby a plurality of compartments with a tube leading from each compartment is provided, the ebullition causes the water to be forced with equal power from each of the tubes and thus much better results are obtained.

Modifications in detail may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

What is claimed as new is:

In combination, a Wash boiler having openings located near its bottom, and openings located near its top, pipes having turned ends and holding flanges thereon secured to the boiler with the bores of said pipes in direct communication with the openings, independent boxes removably located on the bottom of the boiler, each of said boxes being provided with nipple adapted to pass through an opening in the lower part of the boiler and enter bore of the pipe communicatin therewith whereby close connection is effected between said boxes and the pipes, two of said boxes having their inner ends spaced apart toform a soap receiving compartment in the center of the lower part of the boiler, and a closure for the boiler.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT J. FITZGERALD.

Witnesses:

ELLA I-IORNER, CHAS. H. GRUBB. 

